(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois has been losing population for years, especially young people, but some believe people can be drawn back to the Land of Lincoln for tourism. The state says during fiscal year 2023, over 111 million travelers visited Illinois, creating an economic impact of $78 billion. While pandemic restrictions generated interest in rural outdoor activities, a recent University of Illinois Extension webinar noted that recreation dependent counties in Illinois grew more than twice as fast as the nation overall.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that it has launched a new data collection process to help gather more clinical information about what it is calling a troubling increase in congenital syphilis cases. The new phone service, the Perinatal Syphilis Warmline, was created to provide expert clinical guidance for prenatal healthcare providers. The number of congenital syphilis cases in Illinois has more than tripled, from 29 statewide cases in 2020 to 103 cases a year ago, in 2023.
(SPRINGFIELD) Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day tomorrow, on June 15th, the Illinois Department on Aging is reminding folks throughout the state of when and how to report suspected cases of abuse. Characterized as an act causing any physical, mental, or sexual injury to an older adult, disabled or not, including exploitation of their financial resources and abandonment, elder abuse can be reported by anyone at any time by using Illinois’ 24-hour APS hotline at 866-800-1409. Go to the ilaging.illinois.gov website for more.
(CHAMPAIGN) Former University of Illinois basketball star Terrance Shannon, Jr. has been found “not guilty” in a rape case in Kansas. Shannon was charged last December, following an alleged incident at a bar earlier last year in September. The graduate of Lincoln Park High School in Illinois was originally suspended from the Fighting Illini team before he sued the U of I to be reinstate. Shannon is now preparing to enter the NBA draft.